Bonuccelli, an owner of the California-based 180 Asset Group, is in Milford clearing out the fixtures at the former Rite Aid Pharmacy on West Harford Street across from Turkey Hill.

Everything remaining in the store will be sold, with prices ranging from an office stapler for $1 to a complete pharmacy with shelves and counters for $3,000 if sold as a set. It would cost $10,000 new.

Bonuccelli started in the fixture liquidation business 18 years ago when the owner of the grocery store where he worked died. The firm that cleaned out the store hired him as a contractor.

Since then he has sold off fixtures and equipment at 1,000 stores across the country.

"We clean out every nook and cranny of a store," Bonuccelli said.

He usually finds the expected items to sell.

Pharmacy shelves make great pantry shelves for the home and metal adjustable shelves work well in garages and workshops.

Sometimes Bonuccelli makes spectacular finds. At the former Kmart headquarters in Troy, Mich., Bonuccelli found a valuable tapestry by Pablo Picasso. It had been rolled up inside out, wrapped in duct tape and set in a corner. The Picasso was put up for auction.

The fixture liquidation business has been steady for years as one business opens and another closes. "It's the cycle of business life," Bonuccelli said.

Many members of the general public buy store fixtures for home use but most of his customers are small business owners.

"When they leave, they say, 'Thank you. You just saved me a small fortune,'" Bonuccelli said.

Sturdy store retail grade fixtures are expensive new and Bonuccelli has them priced to sell out in about 10 days.

Business got busy in 2008 when Linens 'n Things closed 120 stores. Mervyns closed, and a few local regional chains across the country also shut doors.

The fixture market was flooded, making liquidation sales tougher. Things have rebounded since then, Bonuccelli said.

Fixtures for sale at the former Milford Rite Aid include a glass door cooler, check-out and service counters, employee's lockers, chairs, backroom shelving, display racks and more.

Everything will be sold out of the store from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. today; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday; and Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.